Hettie is a diminutive of Henrietta or Hester. While the form Hetty (with a "t") is more common, Hettie (with the -ie diminutive ending) is a standard variation in English, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.EtymologyAs a diminutive of Henrietta, Hettie ultimately derives from the male name Henry, via the French Henriette. Henry is of Germanic origin, meaning "home ruler" (from heim "home" and ric "ruler"). The female form Henrietta entered England in the 17th century through Henrietta Maria of France, queen consort of King Charles I. Alternatively, Hettie may be a short form of Hester, a variant of Persian-derived Esther, meaning "myrtle leaf." Hester was particularly common in Puritan and Dutch-speaking communities.Notable BearersHettie Anderson (1873–1938), African-American art model and muse who posed for sculptures by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.Hetty Green (1834–1916), American businesswoman known as "the Witch of Wall Street" for her wealth—and notorious miserliness.Hetty Cary (1836–1892), Confederate socialite and one of the makers of the first Confederate battle flag.Hettie Ewing (1896–1986), American missionary in Japan.Cultural SignificanceThe name Hettie evokes a sense of Victorian-era endearment, similar to nicknames like Kitty or Betsy. It often appears in literature as a character name of kindly or innocent figures. The variant Hetty was famously borne by Hetty Feather, the protagonist of Jacqueline Wilson's children's novel series. Outside the UK and US, cognate forms Hetty and Hetti see limited use, with Henriette preferred in French and other cultures.Meaning: Diminutive of Henrietta ("home ruler") or Hester ("star" / "myrtle")Origin: EnglishType: Diminutive / HypocorismUsage Regions: English-speaking countries